The Stage

Ofcom may curb BBC internet broadcasting ambitions

Published Tuesday 23 January 2007 at 15:20 by Scott Matthewman

Media regulator Ofcom has proposed limiting some aspects of the BBC’s plans for internet-based broadcasting because they would have too much impact on the commercial sector.

The Corporation’s expansion plans include simulcasting of live broadcast streams over the internet, downloadable “catch up” copies of previously broadcast programmes, and a substantially increased number of radio programmes made available as downloads suitable for MP3 players such as iPods.

Ofcom estimates that the new services could account for up to 4 billion additional viewer and listener hours by 2011, much of which would be new demand, bringing “substantial public benefits as a consequence”.

However, the BBC’s plans to allow viewers to download an entire series, known as ‘series stacking’, and store episodes on their computers for up to 13 weeks, have been criticised for their potential impact on the market for commercial services.

Ofcom says that unless the BBC can create a formal definition of which programmes can qualify for series stacking, the plans should be scrapped altogether.

The BBC’s intentions to release most of its radio content in downloadable form has “the potential to make a strong positive contribution” to growth of the downloads market, the report suggests. However, restrictions on the type of content have been recommended to avoid impacting on commercial businesses, with live classical music and audio book readings specifically highlighted in the report.

Ofcom also urges the Corporation to extend the range of formats in which its copy-protected downloads will be made available. The BBC’s iPlayer, the application to manage and play downloaded material, will initially be completely dependent on copy protection software from Microsoft.

Any of the BBC’s proposed development programmes which Ofcom’s review determines are outside the scope of its public value test will be able to continue as part of BBC Worldwide, the Corporation’s commercial arm. The regulator has stressed that that the BBC’s existing Fair Trading Guidelines, which prevent undue promotion of its commercial activities, must apply equally to on-demand services.

The BBC Trust will meet tomorrow to discuss the report and its implications.